Small Business Co-Op Uses Federal Grant to Purchase Welding Equipment
Monday, January 11th, 2010Here is an interesting tidbit 
that might spark some ideas for additional sales of gases and welding equipment in your area.
Local jewelry manufacturers in New Mexico have been given an opportunity to be more competitive, thanks to the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce and a grant from the USDA Rural Business Enterprise fund.
The Chamber purchased $54,000 of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment to be used cooperatively by local jewelers who meet certain small business criteria.
The equipment includes a laser welder, milling machine and vacuum casting machine.
The community qualified for the grant because it meets federal guidelines of being located in a rural area with high unemployment, low wages and few manufacturing or production jobs. The primary goal of the grant program is to encourage economic development in rural communities by retaining and creating additional jobs.
All the equipment purchased is the property of the federal government. Quarterly reports detailing its use must be submitted for three years as a condition of the grant.
